Trelawny father devastated after rape and murder of 10-y-o daughter

Ashton Coke, the father of 10-year-old Shani Coke, who was raped and murdered in Tyre district near Troy, Trelawny on Tuesday, has been left devastated and heartbroken by the death of his daughter.

The partially nude body of Coke, affectionately called ‘Kaidra’, was found with her throat slashed on a dirt track in bushes.

Hours after Shani’s body was discovered, an enraged mob attacked a man identified as Delroy Coke, fatally beating him.

His father, Maxwell Coke, was also assaulted and was admitted to hospital for treatment.

According to Shani’s father, Ashton ‘Junior’ Coke, who is not related to the deceased, his daughter left home about 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday to go to a nearby grocery shop but never returned.

When she failed to come home, her grandmother grew concerned and alerted residents.

A frantic search of the community followed before the devastating discovery of the child’s body.

Police have not stated that anyone witnessed Coke committing Tuesday’s attack on Shani.

They did disclose that he was a convicted sexual offender who had previously served time in prison for sexual offences.

According to investigators, Delroy Coke had a history of arrests for sexual offences dating back more than a decade.

During a visit to the area by The Gleaner on Wednesday, the girl’s father recalled the last time he saw his daughter.

He said she visited his home in the community of Troy last Saturday.

He spoke lovingly of the little girl whose life was cut tragically short, saying the memory of that visit is one he will cherish forever.

Meanwhile, the police have confirmed that a man has since been taken into custody in connection with the mob killing.

janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com

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